Downtown Nightclub NOA's Liquor License Pulled After Shooting: State

HARTFORD, CT —In its letter to the state, New Haven police asked that the liquor license of downtown nightspot NOA be pulled after an Aug. 31 1 a.m. brawl and shooting where two women were "grazed by bullets."

Tuesday, Consumer Protection Commissioner Bryan T. Cafferelli signed a summary suspension of the liquor permit for NOA by September in Bangkok, 196 Crown St. Unit 1, in New Haven.

NOA was the scene of a shooting that occurred inside the premises following a fight. Two women were grazed by bullets, and one was transported to Yale-New Haven Hospital.

Cops were called to the Crown Street nightclub for reports of a fight that broke out in the bar, with gunfire erupting, a letter from police reads. Officers found two 9 mm shell casings near the bar counter, they reported: "Our initial police reports indicate that witnesses observed a fight break out inside the bar area and suddenly shots were fired. When the shots were fired, two female patrons reported to police that they sustained graze wounds."

Police got video of the incident that they say "clearly" show a fight break out, then two men "are observed retrieving firearms directly from their front waistband and manipulate the firearm to place a round in the chamber. These individuals then re-enter the crowd. A quick moment later, shots were fired. On video, you can see the numerous patrons immediately evacuate the bar."

In his letter to DCP, New Haven Police Lieutenant Brendan Borer wrote that “This establishment poses an immediate danger to its customers, the commercial businesses that it adjoins, pedestrians, and vehicular traffic … This recent shooting incident could have resulted in loss of life or serious injuries. We are extremely fortunate that we did not have that outcome.”

Read the full letter here:

NHPD Summary Suspension Req... by Ellyn Santiago

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“It is lucky that nobody was killed as a result of the gunshots fired at NOA by September in Bangkok over the weekend,” said DCP Commissioner Cafferelli. “It is clear from this incident and others that NOA is operated in a way that threatens public health and safety for patrons and neighboring businesses in downtown New Haven. Thank you to the New Haven Police Department for their ongoing work to address issues at this establishment.”

The incident followed a stabbing on Nov. 11, 2023; a complaint in December 2023 regarding alcohol shots poured directly into the mouths of patrons during parties at NOA; and, in January 2024, DCP discovered a minor inside the bar during an unannounced inspection of the premise.

In this instance, police and a state liquor agent made a request that the establishment conduct "pat downs of patrons to prevent weapons from entering the business." It's not clear if that was implemented.

Borer also included some 10 copies of police reports and incidents that purportedly involved employees or patrons of NOA including:

• Referrals from Yale University Police about intoxicated students allegedly at NOA at January
29, 2023 and May 1, 2024;
• A complaint that a patron was assaulted at NOA, resulting in the arrest of a bartender on January
17, 2024; and
• Two separate fight incidents at NOA on May 18, 2024, including the arrest of a subject in
possession of a tire iron during one of the incidents.

Tuesday, the state "immediately suspended" the NOA license for liquor "until further notice," noting the Aug. 31 shooting is the "second incident of violence in less than one year, demonstrates that the premises is operated in a manner that imperils public safety and highlights the need for better control of the premise ..." Cafferelli wrote.

"Based upon the foregoing, DCP finds that public health, safety and welfare imperatively requires emergency action," in accordance with state statutes, "ORDERS your restaurant liquor permit suspended immediately pending proceedings for revocation or other action," Cafferelli wrote in the order.

Read the suspension order here:

NOA By September In Bangkok ... by Ellyn Santiago

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NOA By September In Bangkok's permit was first issued by DCP on July 27, 2022, and is set to expire on July 26, 2025.

Patch attempts to reach permit owner Winyu Seetamyue of NOA for comment were unsuccessful.

Those with concerns about a liquor permit holder in the State of Connecticut may contact DCP’s Liquor Control Division at (860) 713-6210, or by emailing dcp.liquorcontrol@ct.gov.